The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-03-02
For THE CLARION.
Educational Progress Old Grooves
and New Methods.

HOLLY SPRINGS, Mss, Feb. "a, 'S7.
Progressive as this age is showing itself,
perhaps in no direction does the observer
perceive wider and higher reaching out
beyond old barriers, than in the education
OF its youth. Except in the case of some
individual educator, who, putting his heart
into his work, originated plans for his
own use, but did not formulate his theories
and embody them for the public benefit,
the work of Teaching the young idea" had
gone in old grooves for many years. Then
came Froebel and Pestallozzi with the color
and form charts, the books without words,
and the alphabet of ingenious contrivances
for laying the foundations of knowledge,
and routed from the field the horn-book
and ferule. Spencer, too, came with his
theories, and practical men and women,
and scientific men and women, set their
wise heads and busy hands TO work, and
so, from the dust and ashes of the old, has
a beautiful new system been evolved.
With enlarged ideas have come increased
facilities, a higher standard, and greater
enthusiasm.
To one feature of the new departure has
my attention been strongly attracted re-
Gently, namely, the widening OF the range
of general intelligence by means of lectures.
we'll chosen readings, and the observance
of historical anniversaries.
Maury Institute, located at Holly
Springs, and under the management of
Miss E. d. Watson, already recognized as
in the front rank of schools for girls, al
though only in the fifth year of its exist
ence, particularly excels in that training
which develops the intellectual powers
symmetrically and instils, along with text
book learning, the knowledge of passing
events, an acquaintance with current, sci
entifc, artistic and historical questions.
An instance of this special training may
be cited in the celebration OF Washington's
Birthday in Miss Watson's school. The
usual routine of work was suspended, and
programme of exercises looking to a com.
plete exposition of the reasons for cele-
brating the 22d Of February substituted.
1t was not a public demonstration, but
strictly a school recognition of the honor |
due the day, and each pupil, from the dim |
pied darling of seven TO the sweet girl
graduate" had her share in the exercises |
Of this memorial day. Were it not that l
have already transgressed the limits had |
assigned to this article, should give in |
full the admirably arranged programme, |
which, beginning With the patriotic hymn, |
"America," comprised in regular sequence |
selected readings, original essays, recita- |
lions, biographical incidents and anecdotes |
from the time Of Washington's boyhood |
and early youth, through his military,
political, social and domestic life to its |
close, the whole interpreted with music |
in accord with the occasion, teachers and |
pupils taking their respective parts with |
zeal and appreciation. Judge Watson de-
liyered short address on .Washington as
Statesman presenting Ierseiy and
strongly the salient points in the civil adj
minlstration Of '4our great commander
which prove him to be also our great
ruler
If there was an individual present who
did not find when the Washington anni-
verszry was ended that memory had been
refreshed, information increased, love
and veneration for nthe Father of his
Country" kindled into brighter flame, that
individual began the day wiser person
and purer patriot than your correspond
emit PRoGREss.